Should President Obama Be Fearful of Ferguson Race Talks?

This past Monday, the President addressed the nation with regards to unrest in Iraq, as well as the disturbing violence that has taken form within Ferguson, Missouri.

Although the Commander-in-Chief gave a balanced response to the out-of-control situation in Ferguson, he was careful not to push the race issue to hard -- as if he was coached to know the exact temperament of the "race button." 

The President claims that he'd like to wait for a complete investigation of the Michael Brown case, which the DOJ and FBI are currently conducting -- however, others feel that President Obama should say more with regards to race relations in America.

Georgetown Professor Michael E. Dyson joined The Reid Report yesterday and voiced his views to the host of the show, Joy Ann Reid. 

He described how he felt the president should've addressed the nation as he stated, "Don't even talk about Michael Brown, talk about what led to Michael Brown. Tell us as a nation what happens when festering rage in a community then begins to ignite and then begins to consume not only that community -- but the people around the nation who are empathetic."

"So I think the president has a lot more latitude; does he have opposition...yes, but guess what, when he opens his mouth on Iraq he's opposed, when he opens his mouth on the environment he's opposed, when he opens his mouth on gay marriage he's opposed -- he's opposed at every step; don't use this as an excuse to not speak about race."

It would seem that Dyson would prefer for Obama to not care about the race button at all, and instead expects him to smash it all the way down...and than hit it a few more times just in case the alarm wasn't sounded loud enough. President Obama's balanced approach is understandable for sure -- but so is Professor Dyson's "ring the alarm" method.

The former Chicago, Illinois Senator may be a bit nervous to share his insight on Americas racial epidemic, for fear that as soon as he sets the flame -- it'll ignite into a mighty fire and spread outside of Ferguson and clear across the nation. He comprehends all to well that for some -- his candid rhetoric could give others permission to negatively act out, which is something I'm sure he's trying to avoid. But if not him...than who? If not now...than when?

Was MLK, JFK, RFK, LBJ, Medgar Evers, and even Abraham Lincoln who was racist but still freed all slaves -- fearful of race discussions? Maybe. But at the end of the day they did what they had to do -- in order to bring about definitive change within America. And although many of these leaders have assassination in common -- today in the 21st century things are different; there's more media and secret service coverage with regards to the first family, who's better protected than the majority of Americans.

Yes it's scary to speak truth to power, yes it's scary to take on evil while looking it straight in the eyes, and yes it's scary to enter the lion's den while standing an arms length away from its ferocious bite, but must we wait for the next president to take on this fight? Can we even guarantee that the next Commander-in-Chief will?

What if we don't get another Black president for a long time; will future president's stand up for minorities in this country?

I don't think that President Obama is asking the question of "why me?" However, I do think he may be asking himself the question "why now?"

#ToughDecisions #ToughDiscussions #TheTimeHasCome

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